AIR Force defeated undermanned Pocari Sweat, 25-19, 24-26, 25-27, 25-21, 15-6, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan.
Thai import Patcharee Saengmuang fired from all angles and finished with 27 points as the Lady Jet Spikers stalled the Lady Warriors' entry to the semifinals.
Skipper Joy Cases also had 21 markers, 15 digs and 19 excellent receptions, while Jocemer Tapic and Iari Yongco combined for 23 points as Air Force snapped its seven-match skid.
The Lady Warriors are looking to take the second outright semifinal berth. BaliPure secured the first spot in the round of four.
"Sinabi ko sa kanila na gawin lang natin sa laro ang ginagawa natin sa practice kasi sunud-sunod na ang ating talo," said Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez.
The Lady Jet Spikers took an early lead, 7-2, in the fifth set after an off the block hut by Yongco.
American import Michelle Strizak tried to rally Pocari Sweat but the Lady Jet Spikers’ zoomed to a 13-6 lead and held on.
Strizak wound up with a league-high 40 points. The 6'1 hitter also registered 12 digs.
The defending champions, without injured top local player Myla Pablo and Bosnian import Edina Selimovic, absorbed their second straight loss.
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